Three Low-Cost Telescopes

Authors Roth and Flanders pose with the three scopes that they reviewed in the March 2011 issue of Sky & Telescope.

Rajani Flanders

At public star parties and astronomy classes, people often ask us how much they need to spend to buy a decent telescope. There are many fine options for less than $300, and at least one great telescope for less than $200 — the StarBlast 4.5-inch Astro from Orion Telescopes & Binoculars (S&T: June 2003, page 46). But in the sub-$100 price range, low-quality scopes outnumber good ones by a huge margin — so careful shopping is essential. In the March 2011 issue of Sky & Telescope, we reviewed three $99.95 telescopes from Orion (shown in the picture at right). Each model has its strengths and weaknesses, but we have no hesitation in recommending all of them. They are:

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